one's nose is in the air

(one's) nose is (always) in the air

One (always) has a haughty, condescending, or disdainful manner or attitude. No one in the neighborhood cares for the Smiths. It just seems like their noses are always in the air whenever they're socializing with us. You're not going to make many friends at your new school if your nose is in the air like that.See also: air, nose

one's nose is in the air

Fig. one is acting conceited or aloof. Mary's nose is always in the air since she got into that exclusive boarding school. Her mother's nose was always in the air, too.See also: air, nose